Nighttime…is the right time…

The nightHath been to me a more familiar faceThan that of man; and in her starry shadeOf dim and solitary lovelinessI learned the language of another world. ~Lord Byron

I’m pulling one of my all-nighters on the couch. I tried to go to bed, but laying my head down just made it hurt worse, so I’m back up.

I don’t mind being up at night. I could do without the pain…but some of the best lessons I’ve learned have come during the night. When the house is quiet, the world is sleeping…I sit and listen. That’s usually when I hear God’s voice the clearest.

Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. ~Luke 7:11-17

Tonight I opened up Facebook, to see what other night owls were prowling around.

I found a friend who has suffered for the past 2 1/2 years with horrible pain in his feet. Another friend who was facing some dilemma she couldn’t even speak of. A friend of my son’s who was feeling down.

Nighttime…when the busyness of day gives way to wide-eyed wonder. Will I get the promotion? Will my company down size me out of a job? What will the test results reveal? How will I face him after this fight? What if she says she’s leaving?

Be still…

Craig’s roommate put this quote on his profile yesterday:

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant? ~~ Henry David Thoreau

Last night, I had an opportunity to look through other people’s eyes…to catch a glimpse of their struggles and concerns. In doing so, I walked away from my own for a time. I turned my attention somewhere else, other than on myself.

To a young man, alone and tired. To a mother whose teenage daughter is rebelling. To a woman whose pain eclipses that of my own.

To offer a prayer…a word of encouragement. It’s what we are called to do. God’s vessels. The means by which his love flows. It’s that simple.

Lessons learned in the dark have a way of illuminating the soul. Of reminding us of the Father’s love and compassion. And that He desires for us to reflect that to those around us.

Thank you Father, for sleepless nights…for hearing the needs of others and sharing in their times of angst. Thank you for their prayers lifted on my behalf. Thank you for your son’s example of compassion and caring. Amen